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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/10

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Manchester

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Manchester is ahead on established.

UCL (University College London) vs University of Manchester at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University of Manchester both teach 92 subject areas, the largest being German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages and Politics & International Relations. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £32,300 at University of Manchester: UCL (University College London) is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £7,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 46 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 43 and University of Manchester in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £41,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £24,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 46 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, UCL (University College London) is higher in 22 and University of Manchester in 21, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#8
QS World
#40
#22
THE World
#56
#9
Guardian UK
#29
1826
Established
1824
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

UCL (University College London)

University of Manchester

86.5%
85.1%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£46,400
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
40%

International

International student share

1131
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
6

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

92 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

UCL (University College London)

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Dentistry, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Planning & Housing, Computer Science, History, Public Health & Epidemiology, Clinical Specialities, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Materials Science, Statistics, Anthropology, Linguistics, Spanish & Portuguese, Architecture, Medicine, Biology, Design & Fashion, Italian, Anatomy & Pathology, Genetics & Genomics, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Geography (General), Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, Healthcare Science, Pharmacology, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Pharmacy, Information Systems & Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, English Literature, Health & Social Care, International Development, Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Classical Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Information & Library Studies, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Zoology & Animal Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Computing & IT, Forensic Science, History of Art & Design, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Accounting, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Creative Writing, American & Comparative Studies, English Language, Humanities, Marketing, Performing Arts (General).

Only at UCL (University College London)

Only at University of Manchester

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

UCL (University College London)
£29,800
University of Manchester
£32,300

UCL (University College London) is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Manchester is about £7,900 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

UCL (University College London)

University of Manchester

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Eastern European Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    79%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    73%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 47 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

UCL (University College London) vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £32,300 at University of Manchester: UCL (University College London) is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £7,900 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both UCL (University College London) and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 92 subject areas: German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Management, Biomedical Sciences and 80 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Manchester better for German & Scandinavian Studies?

German & Scandinavian Studies graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £26,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at UCL (University College London) and 95% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does UCL (University College London) or University of Manchester offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at University of Manchester?

UCL (University College London) teaches 17 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Fine Art, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General), Community & Specialist Nursing, Welsh Studies, Film Production & Cinematography and 9 more.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at UCL (University College London)?

University of Manchester teaches 24 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Nursing (General), Environmental Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Medical Sciences, Social Work, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses